Q: What if I do not know where or what the estate/trust of my late fathers. But was contacted by an attorney .

A: It is possible that the attorney who initially contacted you had consulted with someone looking to claim your late father’s assets and wanted to confirm if you were related and alive so that you may have a claim to your late father’s assets as an heir or beneficiary of his Will or Trust. It is also possible that once you confirmed your relationship, the attorney realized that as your father’s sole heir, his prospective/actual client did not have any interest in your father’s estate and opted not to accept legal representation of that party. Still, you are entitled to know more about your father’s estate planning documents and assets.

If you know the city or county where your later father lived, search that county’s website for probate cases filed under your father’s name.

If you don’t know where your late father lived, try googling his name (followed by the state where he last lived to narrow the search). You may find information in a published obituary or his address which will enable you to obtain from a title company or realtor in that area a copy of the Deed to his residence that may be titled in the name of his Trust (if he has one). From there, you can locate a probate and trust attorney in that county to assist you further.

You confirm you have the name and phone number of the attorney who initially contacted you. Google the attorney’s name followed by the word “attorney” or the attorney’s phone number to locate the attorney’s law firm URL (link) and contact information.

Next, draft a letter to the attorney, referencing your late father’s name and the date and essence of the last contact you had with the attorney or the law firm.

- Request copies of your late father’s Will, Trust and any Court papers that have been filed regarding his Trust or decedent’s estate.

- Ask for confirmation of who the lawyer represents regarding your late father’s affairs and how that person is connected to your late father (i.e. as the nominated executor or administrator of his Will and/or as successor trustee of your later father’s Trust. Ask the attorney to confirm if s/he is currently representing that person or not.

- Provide your complete contact information including mail address, email address and telephone (home and mobile).

- Remind the attorney that you understood he wanted you to provide him with proof of your relationship to your late father. Ask what documentation the attorney requires of you to establish this proof.

Best wishes in your endeavors.

A: First, gather any documentation or communication you have from the attorney who contacted you. This includes emails, letters, or voicemails. These records will help if you need to follow up with another legal professional or government agency.

Next, try to contact the attorney again by certified mail, requesting specific information about the estate or trust. Be polite but firm, explaining that you need clarity and further details to respond properly to their inquiry. Keep copies of all correspondence to track your efforts.

If the attorney remains unresponsive, you could reach out to the probate court in the county where your father lived. Ask if any probate case has been filed in his name, as estates often go through probate when someone passes away. You can also check if any trust documents were recorded with the county.